Emmanuel Clase Accused of Game Rigging Amid Federal Gambling Probe
Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase is now at the center of a deepening federal investigation tied to illegal sports gambling - and the latest allegations are raising serious questions about the integrity of postseason baseball.
According to court documents, Clase is accused of participating in an illegal gambling scheme during the 2024 MLB postseason. The allegations don’t just stop at betting - prosecutors claim he actively manipulated pitches to benefit gamblers, using coded language in text messages to communicate with co-conspirators.
The details, laid out in a new federal indictment, suggest that Clase used phrases like “rooster” and “chicken” to mask his intentions. One exchange, reportedly from October 5, 2024 - the date of Game 1 of the Guardians' ALDS matchup against the Detroit Tigers - is especially damning.
In a message received by Clase, someone wrote:
“Throw a rock at the first rooster in today’s fight.”
Clase allegedly responded:
“Yes, of course, that’s an easy toss to that rooster,” before adding that he would throw it “low.”
Every Emmanuel Clase pitch from Game 1 of the 2024 ALDS against Detroit, where he is alleged to have thrown a rigged pitch https://t.co/BAVvBpDdq8 pic.twitter.com/3l5FYW9LGS
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 13, 2026
That pitch - the first Clase threw in that game - has since been scrutinized by fans and analysts alike. Video breakdowns circulating on social media platforms, including Talkin’ Baseball on X (formerly Twitter), have highlighted that opening pitch, which was indeed low, as the possible one referenced in the texts.
While the Guardians pulled off a win in that game, the focus has now shifted from the scoreboard to the courtroom. If these allegations hold up, the implications could be seismic - not just for Clase, but for Major League Baseball as a whole. Game-fixing, especially in the postseason, strikes at the very core of competitive integrity, and MLB has historically taken a hard line on gambling-related misconduct.
Clase’s legal team, however, is pushing back hard. His attorney, Michael Ferrara, issued a firm denial of the charges, stating:
“Emmanuel Clase is innocent and denies all allegations in the superseding indictment. While we remain disappointed in the flawed views of the evidence and rush to judgment that led to these charges, we look forward to clearing his name at trial, where the full facts and circumstances of the case will be revealed.”
At this stage, it’s unclear what disciplinary action, if any, Clase could face from MLB. The league has not yet commented publicly on the new indictment. Historically, involvement in gambling or game manipulation has drawn some of the harshest penalties in pro sports - and if the evidence holds up, Clase could be looking at a long road ahead.
For now, the Guardians - and the baseball world - are left in limbo. The legal process will play out, but the allegations alone have already cast a shadow over one of the league’s top closers and raised uncomfortable questions about how deep gambling’s reach may go within the sport.
This is a story that’s far from over.